The new Ford Fiesta has been well received by both the members of the press and the buying public. However, some who have spent their hard earned on a new Fiesta aren’t exactly having the time of their lives.

According to reports, some Fiesta owners have been complaining about the dual-clutch automatic transmission. The so-called PowerShift transmission, which is built in a joint venture by Ford and Getrag in Mexico, has been causing its owners some headaches. Some owners have complaied about hard shifts, while others have spoken out about the transmission not shifting up at all at higher speeds.

According to a report, one Fiesta just would not engage drive after the owner reversed it, with the defect occuring after just 10 days of ownership. Ford said they would have to replace the entire transmission, but since none are in the country, the customer has been waiting for two-weeks.

Let’s hope these issues are soon resolved, because as small cars go, the Fiesta is a pretty neat, when it works.

[Source: Jalopnik]

If you are the owner of an Apple iPhone and a Ford vehicle equipped with the SYNC system, you may have noticed that your phone and your car don’t like talking to each other.

That’s probably due to the fact that the SYNC system was developed by Microsoft, and since Bill Gates is not exactly best friends with Steve Jobs of Apple, the lack of communication between the two systems was likely deliberate.

So unless you have a RIM or Android operating system, your SYNC system could not be all that it could be. However, Ford has now announced that the next generation of SYNC will feature AppLink, which will happily talk with your iPhone, and this system will be first available to Fiesta customers.

Among the first apps to work with the SYNC system include Pandora internet radio, Stitcher news radio and OpenBeak. More apps adaptability is on its way says Ford.

So if you’ve been ignoring Fords because your iPhone didn’t work in them, rest easy now, all has been resolved.

Download SYNC AppLink at www.syncmyride.com

Hit the jump to see the press release.

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Ford has launched an iPad app focused (no pun intended) on the 2011 Fiesta subcompact. The app is intended to act as a brochure for the car, as a way of taking advantage of the multimedia features of Apple’s tablet computer.

With manufacturers increasingly going to electronic brochures, the iPad app is a novel way to promote your new vehicle – although we will always love the tactile elements of a paper brochure, and would be a little upset if they went the way of the dodo. But for Fiesta buyers, most of whom have lived their entire lives with digital devices, the iPad app is likely going to appeal to their target demographic.

Hit the jump to read the official press release

[Source: Ford]

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Great news for Ford – the 2011 Fiesta earned a 2010 Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This marks the first time a mini-car has picked up an award since the introduction of a new roof strength test.

And if that was reason enough to celebrate, this nod also makes it the eighth Ford vehicle to earn the Institute’s top designation, which means it has the most “Top Safety Picks” of any automaker.

Helping it pick up a win is the fact that Fiesta is made from high-strength steels, and it features the company’s Trinity front crash structure, Side Protection And Cabin Enhancement (SPACE) Architecture and advanced airbag technologies. Outfitted with an energy-absorbing body structure, the Fiesta’s strength and stiffness helps to absorb and redirect crash forces away from the passenger compartment. It also comes with the most standard airbags in its class, as well as standard electronic stability control.

“Fiesta is proof that a small car can deliver big safety, and earning a Top Safety Pick further demonstrates Ford’s commitment to providing all of our customers with world-class crash protection,” said Sue Cischke, Ford’s group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “Fiesta combines rigidity and more airbags – smartly deployed – than its competition, as well as standard stability control.”

One of the unique safety features the Fiesta offers is a driver’s knee airbag. This airbag helps reduce lower leg injuries during a frontal collision and to work with other safety features. Other Fiesta safety features include dual-stage first-row airbags, side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags.

Recently Ford engineers drove a modified Fiesta concept car from Ann Arbor, Mich., to San Mateo, Calif., as part of a new technology experiment. Along the journey it was the Fiesta, and not the folks inside it, Tweeting about the trip.

Equipped with software called the “Auto”matic Blog, the Fiesta (named AJ) was able to send out tweets about its location, speed, acceleration and braking. It did this by tapping into the vehicle’s onboard telemetry, GPS system and ECU, even knowing when the headlights are on (must be getting dark) and when the wipers are being used (must be raining).

Connected to the internet, impressively, the software can even search real-time traffic info and weather conditions, commenting that it’s no looking forward to what’s coming up.

Once AJ even commented that he, she, it was joyful. When asked how a car can be joyful, Joe Rork, one of the IT brains behind the project commented that, “There’s no traffic, and it’s not raining and it’s enjoying a winding road.”

Incredibly, in order to pull off this stunt, Ford used mostly readily-available technology like a high-speed connection, Wi-Fi router and Dell computer with Windows 7.

According to Rork, the project is just an extension of Ford’s already high-tech vision for cars of the future. While Tweeting cars might not be around the corner, Ford will soon add Twitter feed capability to its SYNC-equipped cars later this year.

[Source: NYT]

Ford is making a major push in marketing their Fiesta to the trendy, hip youth market of tomorrow…or today’s automotive enthusiasts. From teaming up with Ken Block to custom commercials on American Idol, to the impressive Fiesta Movement social marketing phenomenon, Ford seems to have a lot of bases covered. Their emphasis has been on customization and personalizing the trendy Fiesta, offering versatility and custom graphics. But now Ford has taken another leap by announcing their Fiesta body kits and accessories.

Starting with the aesthetics, Ford will be releasing a four-piece body kit for the Fiesta which includes a front air dam, side skirts and rear valence. Custom graphics ranging from tattoo-style, bubbles, flames and even ninja blades. For the interior, illuminated door sills, LED cup holder lights, armrest and a shift knob that’s illuminated with a gear number can all be added.

Obviously these aren’t for everybody, but you can’t knock Ford for trying to appeal to somebody. The more boring accessories are pretty run-of-the-mill including floor mats and splash guards. One thing’s for sure though, the Fiesta should be quite successful and we’ll be seeing quite a lot of them in the near future.

View the official press release after the break.

GALLERY: Ford Fiesta Body Kits and Accessories

Read AutoGuide’s Ford Fiesta First Drive by Clicking Here

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Ford has just received the official EPA fuel economy rating for its new Fiesta sub-compact, with a 29/40 mpg (city/highway) with the dual-clutch six-speed automatic. This makes the Fiesta a class-leader in fuel economy in the sub-compact segment, beating out the Fit by 5-mpg and the Yaris by 4-mpg on the highway.

The Fiesta with a five-speed manual transmission achieved 28/37-mpg (city/highway).

“The new Fiesta is yet another car in Ford’s lineup that delivers class-leading fuel economy,” said Barb Samardzich, vice president, Global Powertrain Engineering. “From Super Duty to Fusion Hybrid and the new Mustang V6, Ford is committed to fuel economy leadership with every new vehicle it introduces in all segments.”

In order to achieve the impressive fuel economy rating, the Fiesta is powered by a 120-hp 1.6-liter Duratec 4-cylinder engine that features Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT), a deceleration fuel shutoff  and electric power steering.

Pricing for the new Fiesta starts at $13,320 for the sedan and $15,120 for the hatch. See AutoGuide’s review of the new Fiesta by following the link below:

2011 Ford Fiesta First Drive

Official release after the jump:

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Ford is excited to announce the start of production for its new six-speed PowerShift dual clutch transmission, set to appear in the new Fiesta, is now underway. “Who cares,” you’re most likely thinking. Well, this little transmission is actually quite a big deal for several reasons, like fuel economy and performance.

The dual clutch system Ford is using allows for shifts that are far quicker than a typical automatic while also optimizing fuel economy. In fact, Ford estimates this new transmission, when paired with the Fiesta’s 1.6-liter 4-cylinder will help deliver 40 mpg on the highway  – which will likely give the Fiesta best-in-class fuel economy. This isn’t really surprising as the Fiesta will be the first vehicle in the sub-compact segment with a dual-clutch setup, as well as the first sub-compact with a six-speed automatic.

The advantages of the high-tech tranny are summarized by PowerShift development team leader Piero Aversa, who says that, “We believe this new automatic transmission for the Fiesta will be the most advanced in the segment, offering far better performance than our competitors. It’s an advanced gearbox that reduces complexity, saves weight, increases responsiveness and performance – all while helping keep the engine in its peak efficiency mode – resulting in class-leading fuel economy.”

In an effort to be a fuel economy leader, Ford is committed to offering six-speed transmissions in 85 percent of its vehicles by the end of the year, with 100 percent of Ford vehicles offered with a six-speed by 2013.

“Ford’s advanced new six-speed automatic transmissions will really surprise our customers, and our competitors,” said Barb Samardzich, VP of Powertrain Development. “They provide the convenience of traditional automatics with fuel economy leadership, as well as responsive performance and driving dynamics that make these cars fun to drive. And we’re adding six-speed transmissions to our most accessible vehicles, not just our luxury offerings and high-performance models.”

Transmission production at Ford’s facility in Irapuato, Mexico has just begun and is slated to get much busier later this year when the team there also starts production of a new PowerShift six-speed transmission for the new Ford Focus.

GALLERY: 2011 Ford Fiesta

Official release after the jump:

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Ford Motor Company has just officially introduced North America to the Fiesta sub-compact, bringing the popular European hatchback model to the United States and Canada. In addition, Ford has built and introduced a sedan version of the car – designed and built specifically for the North American marketplace. The Fiesta marks Ford’s return to the sub-compact segment for the first time in over a decade, since the Aspire was phased out in the late ’90s.

We can’t say the style of the car is as pleasing as the Euro-spec model (which we love), but it is close and retains most of that car’s sporty and youthful character. The front end (sadly the Euro-sec’s nicest attribute), has been modified to accept a design that fits more closely with the rest of Ford’s domestic products. The interior is also quite nice, and we’re happy to report Ford has decided to keep the Motorola Razor-inspired dash.

Having already driven a Euro-spec hatchback, this was out first chance to get in the Fiesta sedan and we’re happy to report that despite its diminutive size, it still has adequate rear seat leg room.

Under the hood of the Fiesta, we’re also glad to see the peppy 119-hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine has been carried over from the European model. It makes 109 ft-lbs of torque and in our test of the Euro-spec model provided plenty of fun.

This engine also delivers impressive fuel-economy with a best-in-class rating of 40 mpg on the highway. This is in part due to a new six-speed automatic transmission, while a five-speed manual will also be offered.

Ford also promises that the car’s European driving dynamics have been retained thanks to an electronic power steering system that is not only responsive but helps to reduce fuel consumption. The suspension setup is a MacPherson Strut front design with a 22mm sway bar and a rear twist-beam setup. A set of 15-inch wheels will be standard with 16s optional. There will even be a set of 17-inchers made available through Ford Racing.

GALLERY: 2011 Ford Fiesta Debut in Los Angeles

Ford has just officially revealed the North American market version of the Fiesta hatchback, its widely popular and successful model currently on sale in Europe. Debuting alongside the hatch, is an all-new Fiesta sedan, designed specifically for North America. The Fiesta marks Ford’s return to the sub-compact segment for the first time in over a decade.

We can’t say the style of the car is as pleasing as the Euro-spec model (which we love), but it is close and retains most of that car’s sporty and youthful character. It also retains the high-grade interior with the Motorola Razor-inspired dash.

Under the hood of the Fiesta, we’re glad to see the peppy 119-hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine has been carried over from the European model. It makes 109 ft-lbs of torque and in our test of the Euro-spec model provided plenty of fun.

This engine also delivers impressive fuel-economy with a best-in-class rating of 40 mpg on the highway. This is in part due to a new six-speed automatic transmission, while a five-speed manual will also be offered.

Ford also promises that the car’s European driving dynamics have been retained thanks to an electronic power steering system that is not only responsive but helps to reduce fuel consumption. The suspension setup is a MacPherson Strut front design with a 22mm sway bar and a rear twist-beam setup. A set of 15-inch wheels will be standard with 16s optional. There will even be a set of 17-inchers made available through Ford Racing.

GALLERY: 2011 Ford Fiesta Hatchback

GALLERY: 2011 Ford Fiesta Sedan